Does your dog benefit OR harm your health?

[Nicole]

This question is part of a research project for a college-level class. Please describe IF and HOW your dog has ever contributed to or harmed your physical, mental, and/or emotional well-being. Thank you very much for your input, I appreciate it!

[K9Rescuer]

How my dog has helped my health:
-provided comfort when I am upset (he loves cuddling)
-given me a reason to get up in the morning when I had no other reason
-taught me endless patience (as he is a rescue dog with a troubled past)
-helped me socialize with other people (I suffer from social anxiety disorder)
-made me exercise far more than I ever planned (he is a hyperactive pit bull/GSD/Husky mix that needs at least a 4 mile walk each day)
-taught me how to deal with stress (training was a bit of a trial for both parties involved).
-encouraged me to help other dogs in need (I have fostered over a dozen dogs so far)

I cannot think of anything detrimental to my health caused by my dog. Rescuing him was the best thing I ever did with my life.

[btbuster]

I have never had an animal that caused harm to me physically, mentally, or emotionally.
In the past 35 years, all my dogs have been someone else’s throw-aways, dogs who were abandoned, dumped, or rescued. Every one of them, that came to live with us had a unique personality and brought comfort, joy and even laughter to us!